What the Barclays American Airlines Card Offers

The Barclays American Airlines credit card is a co-branded card issued by Barclays Bank in partnership with American Airlines. It earns miles on purchases, offers a sign-up bonus, and provides benefits tied to American Airlines frequent flyer status. The card comes in two versions: the standard card and a premium card with an annual fee.

Both versions earn 2 miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. The main difference is the annual fee: the standard card has no annual fee, while the premium version charges an annual fee but includes additional perks like checked baggage allowance and priority boarding on American Airlines flights.

The card is designed for people who fly American Airlines regularly or want to accumulate miles toward future flights. It is not a travel card for general use across multiple airlines—the rewards are specific to American Airlines and its partners.

Key Takeaways

  • The standard Barclays American Airlines card has no annual fee and earns 2 miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases.
  • The premium version includes an annual fee but adds benefits like a checked baggage allowance and priority boarding.
  • Both cards offer a sign-up bonus in miles when you meet a spending requirement within the first few months.
  • Miles can be redeemed for American Airlines flights, seat upgrades, or transferred to partner programs.
  • The card reports to the three major credit bureaus, so payment history affects your credit score.

How to Open an Account

You can open a Barclays American Airlines card account online through Barclays' website or by calling their customer service line. The online process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information.

Barclays will check your credit report during the process process. You do not need to be an existing American Airlines frequent flyer member to open the card, though you will need to link your frequent flyer account to the card once it arrives so miles post correctly.

After you submit your process, you will receive a decision within minutes or up to a few business days, depending on whether Barclays needs to verify additional information. If approved, your card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Activating Your Card and Earning the Sign-Up Bonus

Once your card arrives, you must set up it before you can use it. set up happens through Barclays' website, their mobile app, or by calling the number on the back of the card. The process takes a few minutes and confirms your identity.

The sign-up bonus is earned by spending a set amount—typically $500 to $1,000—within the first 3 months of opening the account. The bonus is usually 50,000 to 75,000 miles, depending on the card version and current promotions. The miles post to your American Airlines frequent flyer account automatically once you meet the spending requirement.

To may support the bonus posts, link your frequent flyer account to the card before you make your first purchase. You can do this through your Barclays online account or by calling customer service with your frequent flyer number.

How to Use Your Card and Earn Miles

You earn miles every time you use the card, whether for American Airlines tickets, everyday purchases, or anything else. The earning rate is 2 miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases (including tickets, seat upgrades, and baggage fees) and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.

Miles are posted to your American Airlines frequent flyer account monthly, usually within 30 days of the purchase. You can check your balance anytime through the American Airlines website or app, or by calling their frequent flyer customer service.

Some purchases do not earn miles—typically balance transfers, cash advances, and fees. Interest charges also do not earn miles. If you carry a balance, you will pay interest on the unpaid amount, which can offset the value of miles earned.

Paying Your Bill and Managing Your Account

Your monthly bill is due on the same date each month. You can pay online through Barclays' website or app, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payments. Setting up automatic payments ensures you never miss a due date, which protects your credit score.

The card charges interest on unpaid balances. The interest rate (APR) is set based on your credit score and is disclosed in your account agreement. If you carry a balance, the interest cost can be substantial—paying in full each month avoids interest charges entirely.

You can view your account online anytime to check your balance, recent transactions, available credit, and rewards balance. Barclays also sends a paper statement each month unless you opt for electronic statements only.

Redeeming Your Miles

Miles can be redeemed for American Airlines flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other travel-related purchases through the American Airlines website or by calling their frequent flyer line. You can also transfer miles to partner programs, though the exchange rate varies.

The cost of a flight in miles depends on the route, time of year, and demand—not on the dollar price of the ticket. Off-peak flights may cost 7,500 to 25,000 miles, while peak travel times can cost 50,000 miles or more for the same route. Booking directly through American Airlines usually offers the best value.

Miles do not expire as long as you have account activity—a purchase, a flight, or a transfer—at least once every 18 months. If your account goes inactive, miles may be forfeited, though you can reactivate the account by making a purchase or flying.

Annual Fees and When to Keep or Close Your Card

The standard Barclays American Airlines card has no annual fee, so there is no cost to keep it open even if you do not use it. The premium version charges an annual fee, typically $95 or higher, which is charged each year on your account anniversary.

If you have the premium card and the annual fee is charged, you have a grace period—usually 30 days—to close the account and request a refund of the fee if you have not used the card since the charge posted. After that window, the fee is usually non-refundable.

Whether to keep the card depends on how much you fly American Airlines and whether the benefits (checked baggage, priority boarding, or other perks) are worth the annual fee to you. If you do not fly American Airlines at least a few times per year, the standard no-fee card is the better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my miles to another airline or hotel program?

Yes, American Airlines allows mile transfers to partner programs including hotels, car rental companies, and other airlines. The transfer rate varies by partner—some offer a 1:1 ratio while others offer less favorable rates. Transfers are usually processed within a few business days.

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Your miles belong to your American Airlines frequent flyer account, not to the card itself. Closing the card does not affect your miles balance. However, if your frequent flyer account becomes inactive (no activity for 18 months), your miles may expire.

Do I need to be a frequent flyer member before I open the card?

No, you can open the card without an existing frequent flyer account. Barclays will help you create one during the process process, or you can create one separately through American Airlines. You must link the accounts before your first purchase so miles post correctly.

What is the interest rate on this card?

The APR varies based on your credit score and creditworthiness. You will see the specific rate offered to you before you complete your process. The rate is disclosed in your account agreement after approval.

Can I use this card outside the United States?

Yes, the card works internationally. However, Barclays charges a foreign transaction fee—typically 3% of the purchase amount—on transactions made outside the United States. This fee applies even if the merchant is a U.S. company.